Written by Greta Porter
The end of holiday blues/post-holiday depression are a very real thing. The adrenaline come down from a trip away or the enjoyment of extended time off can bring about feelings of both anxiety and depression as it comes to an end.
The reality of going back to work or back to full-time study can be difficult and daunting, but it is possible to overcome these feelings and get back into the swing of things.
I spent most of my uni holidays in Europe and have become rather familiar with the end of holiday blues so here are just a few tips on how you can work through these feelings.
Prioritise your social life as much as you can
You’ve just gone from having all this time off to jumping right back into the deep end of study/work. The best thing you can do when this is happening is to keep seeing friends and family and keep doing the things that you enjoy doing in your free time.
When you’re studying, try and keep your weekends free of any uni work so you have dedicated time where you can do what you please. Whether that be watching some local sport, catch up with mates at the pub, attending a pottery class, working on your hobbies or catching a movie at the cinema.
Your social well-being is important and keeping an eye on it will help you with your post-holiday blues.
Exercise
We’re always being told to exercise because not only is it good for us physically, but it also benefits us mentally and socially. Exercise can do wonders in helping you get out of a slump and get over those post-holiday blues. Maybe it’s time to finally use that gym membership and get your money’s worth! I went from walking on average 15,000 steps a day on my trip so the last thing I want to do is drop off completely – so I’m making sure I’m going for walks when I can.
Plan future adventures/activities
Having something to look forward to is one of the best ways to overcome the post-holiday blues. A weekend away during session or planning a trip for the mid-session holidays gives you something to be excited about.
Booking tickets to events such as sport, festivals, concerts or theatre shows throughout the session not only gives you something to look forward to, but it also gives you some much needed down time. Treat yourself when you can!
Prioritise your sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. Uni can get hectic with many late nights submitting assignments 1 minute before midnight, so making sure you’re getting the recommended amount of sleep ensures you are well rested and set to overcome the post-holiday blues as the session kicks off.
Reach out to someone if you need help
If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression during the post-holiday season, don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend, family-member or professional. Talking to someone and expressing your feelings can do wonders.
All the best and good luck with the beginning of the uni year!
